Sorting apparatus



March 12, 1963 R. E. BLAKE SORTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct.27, 1960 Roberf' E. Blake INVENIOR.

HH S.

United States Patent C) 3,080,969 SORTING APPARATUS Robert E. Blake, NewWestminster, British Columbia, Canada, assignor to Irvington MachineWorks, Inc., a corporation of Oregon Filed Oct. 27, 1960, Ser. No.65,441 Claims. (Cl. 209-90) ACC porting ways or guides 12, 13 extendinglongitudinally therealong. Lumber, such as board or lumber piece 14, ismoved over Ways 12, 13 by means of overhead lug chains or conveyor means16. One end of the lumber piece slides against a fence 15. The Ways denea path of travel for lumber through the sorter, and lumber is Thisinvention relates to sorting apparatus, and more A related object is toprovide a novel method for sorting lumber wherein the nature ofsuccessive separations made during the sorting are such that a series ofrandom pieces may be completely separated with the pieces travelingdowna single conveyor line and with movement of the pieces providingtheA power necessary to produce separation.

Another object is to provide a novel method of separating lumber bygrade, wherein grade separations are brought about as the result ofadjusting the position of the ends of lumber pieces on a conveyor.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved sortermechanism for lumber which comprises a pair of detector devices, onehaving a movable part measuring length and one having a movable partmeasuring Width, separator mechanism for removing lumber from a pathtravel through the sorter, and mechanical means interconnecting theoperation of the detector devices and c the separator mechanism, wherebymovement of the movable part of one detector device places the movablepart of the other in operation, and movement of the movable part of theother produces by mechanical means actuation ofthe separator mechanism.

In ya more specific sense, an object of the invention is is to providesorter'mechanism which comprises a gauge member for determining widthand an arm engaged by lumber moving through the sorter for determininglength, such arm lowering the gauge member to an operative position whenit is actuated by a piece of lumber of predetermined length engaging thearm, the gauge member when in operative position being in position tolock onto a board of correct width and translate movement of the boardto movement of the sorter. v

The invention is described hereinbelow in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a plan view of portions of a sorting line for lumber, suchsorting line including separator mechanism and means for actuating theseparator mechanism constructed according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side View of the portions of a sorting line illustrated inFIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a view along the line 3 3 of FIG. l, illustrating details of agauge member present in the invention;

FIGS, 4, 5, and 6 illustrate various positions of the gauge memberduring the operation of the sorter; and,

FIG. 7 is a plan view, slightly simplified, illustrating how a completesorting line may be used to separate lumber into piles of differentsizes and widths.

i Referring now to the drawings, 10 indicates generally framework of alumber sorting line, such framework supmoved sidewise over this path,that is to say, with the lumber extending transversely of this path oftravel. Lug 16a of the lug chains positively engage the rear edge of alumber piece. The chains are aligned with ways 12, 13, and the waysprovide support for the bottom runs of the chains.

Generally indicated at 20 is a separating station in the processingline. Separating station 20 includes separator mechanism, indicatedgenerally at 24, and means for actuating the separator mechanism,indicated generally at 28.

Specifically, describing the separator mechanism, ways 12 and 13 havetheir ends spaced apart, at 32, to leave an opening for the dropping ofa lumber piece downwardly from the support plane of the ways. A recess34 is provided in framework 10 beneath spacing 32, and lumber may falldownwardly into this recess, whence it may be transported away from theprocessing line by any suitable conveyor means (not shown).

For opening and closing the space between the ends of ways 12 and 13, aseries of sorting arms 36 are provided. These arms are offset laterallyto one side of the ways, and normally occupy the substantiallyhorizontal position shown in Solid outline for arm 36 in FIG. 2. Inthisl horizontal position, -the upper surfaces of the -arms provide acontinuation between the twol sets of ways.

The arms are axed at one set of ends to a shaft 38. This shaft isjournaled in bearings 40 mounted on frame- Work 10. On rotation of shaft38, arms 36 move from a horizontal position to the raised positionindicated in dashed outline in FIG. 2 and indicated at 35b. In thisraised position a piece of lumber is free to drop into recess 34.

The means 28 provided for actuating sorting arms 36 comprises a lengthdetector (designated generally at 42), a width detector (designatedgenerally at 44), mechanism interconnecting the length detector andwidth detector (shown at 46) whereby actuation of one sets the other inoperative position, and mechanical means operatively connecting thewidth detector 44 and the sorting arms 36 (indicated at 48) wherebymotion in the width detector is translated into rotation of shaft 38 andraising of arms 36.

More in particular, extending transversely of ways 12,

` 13 and beneath the Ways is a shaft 50 journaled in bearings 52.Secured to one end of shaft 50 (the end visible in FIG. 2) is a crankarm 54. The latter projects substantially vertically upwardly from theshaft. The crank arm has rotatably mounted on its upper end a wheel 56.To one side of the crank arm and mounted on framework 10 through abracket 58 is an adjustment screw 60. The end of screw 60 limitsmovementof the crank arm in a counterclockwise direction from the limitposition shown in dashed outline in FIG. 2 at 54h. The shaft and crankarm are urged toward this limit position by a coil spring 62 (see FIG.l) secured at one end to the shaft and at its other end to one of thebearings supporting the same.

Secured to the end of shaft 50 opposite the one mounting arm 54 is adetector arm 64. This detector arm, in

, the limit position just described, extends substantially verticallyupwardly from the shaft, as indicated by the dashed length,- pivotalmovement of the arm results on continued travel of the lumber, whichoperates to swing crank arm 54 to the right, and to the position shownin solid outline for the arm in FIG. 2. This causes wheel 56 to engagethe underside of an actuating bar 70, pivoted to framework 10 at 72, andlift the bar, which places width detector 44 in operative position, asdescribed below.

Explaining the width detector 44, secured to framework 10 are a pair ofbrackets S0. These rotatably support a rod 82 extending therebetween.Rod 82 is also shiftable axially in the brackets. Rod 32 has an end 84which turns outwardly and is in contact with the end of actuating bar70.

`Rotatably mounted intermediate brackets 80 on rod S2 is a gauge orcontacting member 86. This is fixed against axial movement on rod 82 byanchoring collars 88, S9. Gauge member 86 has a turned-over flange 92along its inner edge, and this is provided with a cutout 93 (see FIG.3). Secured to flange 92 is a plate 96 adjustable in position along thelength of the flange. Edge 96a of the plate and edge 93a of the cutoutdefine recess means shaped to fit across a lumber piece of predeterminedwidth. It should be obvious that adjusting the position of the platealong flange 92 varies the width of lumber that the recess means of thegauge member will receive. A

Adjacent the left bracket S in FIGS. 1 and 2 and mounted about rod 82 isa sleeve 97. This sleeve is spline-connected, yby means of a key (notshown) and slot 9S, to rod 82, and thus the sleeve and rod rotatetogether. The spline connection accommodates axial movement of the rodwithin the sleeve, however. Encircling Sleeve 97, and anchored at oneend to the sleeve and at its other end to the bracket St), is a spring.160. Spring 100 applies a torque to sleeve 97 and rod 82 which urgesend 84 of the rod downwardly on bar 70.

Resisting axial movement of rod 82 to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 is acompression spring 102 interposed between one of the brackets 80 andcollar 89.

The gauge member 86 in its inoperative position occupies the raisedposition illustrated in FIG. 4. In this condition of the parts, bar 70is in the lowered position shown in dashed outline at 70a in FIG. 2 andend 84 of rod 82 is in the position shown at 84a. A projection 104 ofcollar 88 underlying the gauge member supports the gauge member in theraised position of FIG. 4. On lifting of Ibar 70 by crank arm 54, rod 82is rotated and the gauge member is permitted to fall to the operating orlowered position shown in FIG. 6. Gravity holds the gauge member in itslowered position, however, if a piece of lumber is moved under the gaugemember, flange 92a of the member rides on the lumber and operatespartially to lift the member to the position of PIG. 5. If such lumberfits within the recess means of the gauge member, the gauge member dropsto the lowered position of FIG. 6 Iat such time as the lumber moves towithin the confines of the recess.

Rotatably supported on the gauge member is a wheel 110. This wheel isaligned longitudinally with the end of a lift crank 112 that has one endsecured to shaft 38. Movement of the gauge member to the right in FIGS.l and 2 shifts wheel 110 underneath the free end of crank 112, producingswinging of the crank to the raised position shown at y112a in FIG. 2,and pivoting of the sorting arms to their raised position.

The operation of the structure so far described will now be explained.

A lumber piece is transported from left to right in FIGS. 1 and 2, withone end sliding against fence 15. At the outset it will be assumed thatthe piece is relatively short, and that the end of the piece oppositesaid one end is disposed laterally inwardly of detector arm 64. With theways clear of lumber in the vicinity of the separator mechanism, spring62 urges shaft 50 to the limit position defined by arm 5S striking screw60. Arm 64 is perpendicular. Gauge member 86 is in the raised,

inoperative position of FIG. 4. The sorting arms 36 are in theirlowered, horizontal position. As the lumber piece continues through thesorter, since it is a short piece, arm 64 is not contacted, and gaugemember 86 remains in its inoperative or raised position. The piecetravels beneath the gauge member and over the sorting arms withoutcontacting the gauge member and without being diverted from the pathdefined by ways 12, 13.

Now it will -be assumed that a board wider than the recess means of thegauge member is traveling down the ways, and that such board has alength sufficient to reach from fence 15 beyond arm 64. When this boardreaches arm 64 it engages the arm to produce pivotal movement of the armand crank arm 54. This causes actuating bar 70 to pivot upwardly,resulting in lowering of the gauge member. The gauge member dropsdownwardly on the board, but because the board has substantial width,the gauge member is prevented from fitting over the board. The boardslides beyond the gauge member and down the ways of the -apparatuswithout separation occurring.

Assuming now that a relatively long board having a width that isnarrower than the recess means of the gauge member travels down theways, on striking arm 64 the arm is rotated `and the gauge member islowered from its inoperative position. When the board moves within thecontines of the recess means, the gauge member drops to the position ofFIG. 6. Continued movement of the board produced by lug chains 16 thenoperates to shift the gauge member longitudinally. This shifting of thegauge member is accompanied by compression of spring 102; and movementof wheel 110 under lift crank 112. On continued shifting of the gaugemember, the lift crank is pivoted upwardly in FIG. 2, and the sortingarms are raised. The board on coming to the ends of ways 12 drops intorecess 34, and is separated out. After the iboard leaves way 12, springs102 and 62 operate to return the gauge member to its inoperativeposition.

Referring now to FIG. 7 this illustrates schematically, a sorting lineequipped with plural sorting stations of the type contemplated by thisinvention. Por reasons of simplicity, ve stations are illustrated,although it should be understood that in practice many more could beemployed. These stations are indicated `at 120, 122, 124, 126, and 128.A sorting line of the type illustrated in FIG. 7 may be employed toseparate lumber of two different length ranges and two different widthranges.

According to this invention, the method of sorting lumber comprisesfirst separating out lumber pieces or boards at successive stations intoa first series of piles according to one dimension, i.e., either widthor length, the other of the dimensions of the lumber pieces in the pilesbeing substantially uniform, and then separating out boards farther downthe sorting line into a second series of piles according to differencesin the same said one dimension, the other of the dimensions of thepieces in the piles being substantially uniform but different from saidother dimension of the pieces in the first series of piles. Progressingfrom the feed end of the processing line, where width is changed,succeeding piles of lumber contain pieces of increasing width, and wherelength is changed, succeeding piles of lumber contain pieces ofdecreasing length.

For purposes of illustration, it will be assumed that boards 4" and 6"in width and having length of 8', 10', and 12 are to be sorted.Referring to FIG. 7, the first station from the feed end (at the left ofthe figure), i.e., station 120, may be constructed to separate outpieces 12 in length and of 4 width. Station 122 may be constructed toseparate out pieces l0 in length and of 4 width. Station 124 may beconstructed to separate out pieces 8 in length and of 4 width. In thenext series of separations, station 126 may be constructed to separateout pieces 12 in length and of 6" width, station 128 constructed` toseparate out pieces l0' in length and 6 iri width, and 8 boards wouldtravel to the discharge end of the line.

As another alternative, the rst series of selections may be determinedby differences in width instead of length, as just discussed. Thus thefirst station 120 may be constructed to separate out pieces 12 in lengthand 4" in Width. Station 122 may be constructed to separate out piecesl2 in length and having 6 width. The second series of separations, rnadeat stations 124, 126, would separate out lirst pieces l0" in length of 4width and then pieces in length of 6 width. The last 4series ofseparations, made at :station 128 and the end of the line, wouldseparate first 8 boards 4" in width to leave only 8 boards 6 in width.

The long boards should be separated before the short boards in orderthat arm 64 be selective, and the narrow boards should be separated outbefore the wide boards in order that the recess means of the gaugemember be selective.

It will be noted, and it is contemplated by this invention, that thesorter also may be used in the grading of lumber. When used to gradelumber, lumber pieces are first separated into piles according tolength. If the boards of a given pile are then transported as a seriesdown a processing line equipped with the sorters of this invention,separations according to grade may be made it successive boards aregiven a relative lateral position on the line determined by the grade ofthe piece. Thus an operator at the entering or vfeed end may shiftinferior grade boards to the left of the line (or upwardly in FIG. l),and better grade boards to the right (or downwardly in FIG. l). Thegauge member is positioned in the apparatus so that it is 4over one setof ends of the boards regardless of the position of the lumber. Whenboards -are thus arranged on the line, as they travel into the sorter,the arm `64 will be actuated depending upon the grade of each board.

A feature of the invention is the fact that the power -for moving thesorter arms to a raised position, thus to produce separation of a board,cornes from the lug chains moving over the ways. The chains impart movef-ment to the lumber, land the lumber in turn shifts the gauge member,the latter producing the force necessary to raise the sorter arms. Bythe construction contemplated it is not necessary to provide numerousmotors and controls therefor. This is a decided advantage, particularlywhen it is remembered that a considerable number of separations may beinvolved.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

l. Sorter apparatus for lumber pieces comprising a frame, elongatedpower-driven conveyor means mounted on the frame for transporting lumberpieces as a series of :single pieces along a path of travel with thelumber pieces extending transversely of the path of travel, pluralseparating stations spaced along said path of travel, each havingseparator mechanism operable when actuated to remove a lumber piece fromsaid path of travel, and means for actuating the lseparator mechanism ofeach station powered by the movement of the lumber, the latter meansincluding a detector of length and a detector of width adjacent saidpath of travel, one of said detectors having contacting means engagedand moved in position by a piece of lumber moving thereby, the other ofthe detectors being adjustable between inoperative and operativepositions and having contacting means engaged and moved in position by apiece of lumber moving thereby only when in operative position, meansinterconnecting the detectors whereby said one places said other inoperative position when the contacting means of said one is `moved by apiece of lumber, and means moved by movement of the contacting means ofsaid other detector providing the power for actuating the separatormechanism. l

2. Sorter apparatus for lumber pieces comprising a iframe, elongatedpower-driven conveyor means mounted on said frame for transportinglumber pieces as a series of single pieces along a path of travel withthe lumber pieces extending transversely of the path of travel, pluralseparating stations spaced along said path of travel, each havingseparator mechanismoperable when actuated to remove a lumber piece fromsaid path of travel, and means for actuating the separator mechanism ofeach station powered by movement of the lumber, the latter meansincluding a detector measuring length and a detector measuring widthadjacent said path of travel, one of said detectors being adjustablebetween an operative and an inoperative position and having contactingmeans constructed to move with a lumber piece of a given size in thedimension it measures when adjusted to operative position only, theother of the detectors having contacting means movable with a lumberpiece of given size in the dimension it measures, means mechanicallyinterconnecting the detectors whereby movement Vof the contacting meansof said other detector adjusts said one to its operative position, andmechanical means moved by movement of the contacting means of said onedetector providing the power for actuating the separator mechanism.

3. Sorter apparatus for lumber pieces comprising a lframe, elongatedpower-driven conveyor means mounted on the frame for transporting lumberpieces as a series of single pieces along a path of travel with Vthelumber pieces extending transversely of the path of travel, 'pluralseparating stations spaced along said path of travel, each havingseparator mechanism operable when actuated to remove a lumber piece fromsaid path of travel, and means for actuating the separator mechanisms ofeach station powered by movement of the lumber, the latter meanscomprising a detector of length having a movable arm with a contactingportion disposed in said path of travel and engaged and moved bymovement of a lumber piece of given length over the same, a detector ofwidth having a gauge member adapted to rit `about the sides of a lumberpiece of given Width, means mounting the gauge member whereby it isadjustable between an operative position where it can contact and tabout a lumber piece `and an inoperative position where it is out of'theway `of lumber moving over said path of travel, said means mounting thegauge member enabling shifting of the member in the direction lumbermoves over said path of travel, means interconnecting the detectorswhere-V by movement of said arm adjusts said gauge member to itsoperative position, and means moved by shifting of the gauge memberactuating the separator mechanism. 4. A method of sorting elongatedlumber pieces into piles determined bywidth and length comprisingtransporting the pieces one after another down av conveyor, initiallyseparating out pieces according to their length at stations spaced alongthe conveyor into a irst series of successive piles with succeedingpiles containing pieces of decreasing length, the pieces in said firstseries of piles having substantially the same widths, and thenseparating out pieces according to their length at stations spacedfarther along the conveyor into a second series of successive piles withsucceeding piles containing piecesof decreasing length, the pieces insaid second series having substantially the same widths that are largerthan the widths of the pieces in the lirst series of piles. l

5. A method of sorting elongated lumber piecesinto piles determined bythe dimensions of width and length comprising transporting the piecesone after another ,down a conveyor, initially separating out piecesaccording to dilferences in one'of said dimensions at stations spacedalong the conveyor into a first series of successivev piles, the otherof the dimensions of the pieces in said first series being substantiallythe same, and then separating out pieces according to differences insaid one of said dimensions Iat stations farther along the conveyor intoa second series of successive piles, the other of the dimensions of thepieces in said second series being substantially the same but differentin size from the other of the dimensions of the pieces in said irstseries, succeeding piles where length is a variable having pieces ofsuccessively decreasing length, succeeding piles where width is avariable having pieces of successively increasing width.

6. Lumber sorting apparatus comprising a frame, power-driven conveyormeans mounted on the frame for transporting lumber pieces along a pathof travel with the lumber pieces extending transversely of the path oftravel, a pair of detector devices mounted adjacent said path, a movablepart for each detector, one of which is always in operative position andthe other of which is adjustable between operative and inoperativepositions, the movable part of one detector device being constructed tobe moved when in operative position by the motion of a lumber piece ofgiven width past the same and thus being responsive to the width of apiece of lumber, the movable part of the other detector device beingconstructed to be moved when in operative position by the motion of alumber piece of given length past the same and thus being responsive tothe length of a piece of lumber, mechanical means interconnecting themovable parts of the two detector devices whereby movement of said onepart adjusts said other part to its operative position, separatormechanism mounted adjacent said path of travel operable when actuated toremove a lumber piece from said path of travel and mechanical means foractuating the same, and means transmitting the motion of said other partto the mechanical means actuating the separator mechanism.

7. Lumber sorting apparatus comprising a frame, power-driven conveyormeans mounted on the frame for transporting lumber pieces as a series ofpieces along a path of travel with lumber pieces extending transverselyof the path of travel, a width detector device mounted adjacent saidpath of travel responsive to the Width of lumber traveling thereover,the latter having a gauge member adjustable between operative andinoperative positions and movable with a lumber piece of predeterminedwidth when in operative position, a length detector device mountedadjacent said path of travel responsive to the length of lumbertraveling thereover, said length detector device having contacting meansmovable with a lumber piece of predetermined length, meansinterconnecting the width and length detector devices whereby movementof said contacting means adjusts the gauge member to its operativeposition, separator mechanism operable when actuated to remove a lumberpiece from said path of travel, and mechanical means operativelyinterconnecting the gauge member and the separator mechanism wherebymovement of the gauge member powers actuation of the separatormechanism.

8. In sorting apparatus, the combination of a frame and ways mountedthereon defining a path of travel for lumber, an overhead lug conveyorfor transporting lumber along said ways with the lumber extendingtransversely of said path of travel, a gauge member positioned to oneside of said path of travel and shiftable between an inoperativeposition wherein the same is held clear of lumber and an operativeposition wherein the same contacts lumber moved over said ways, saidgauge member having a recess means adapted to tit about a lumber pieceof given width, a movable arm positioned in said path of travelcontacted and moved by lumber pieces of given length moving over theWays, means interconnecting said arm and gauge member whereby movementof said arm places said gauge member in operative position, a mountingfor the gauge member accommodating movement of the member longitudinallyalong said path conjointly with a lumber piece when the gauge member isfitted about a lumber piece, pivotable sorter arms mounted on said frameadjacent said path of travel and pivotable to a position Wherein alumber piece moved across the sorter arms is removed from said path oftravel, and mechanical means translating longitudinal movement of thegauge member into pivotal movement of the sorter arms.

9. Sorter apparatus for lumber pieces comprising a frame; means on theframe dening a horizontally extending path of travel for lumber;power-driven conveyor means for transporting lumber pieces over saidpath of travel with the lumber pieces extending transversely of saidpath of travel; sorting means mounted on the frame adjacent said path oftravel and movable between one position wherein a lumber piece movedthereby continues along said path, and a second position wherein alumber piece moved thereby is diverted from said path; a gauge memberhaving a recess shaped to tit across a lumber piece of predeterminedwidth; mounting means for the gauge member supporting the memberadjacent and toward the feed end of the path of travel from said sortingmeans; said mounting means being constructed to accommodate verticalmovement of the gauge member from an inoperative position out of the Wayof a lumber piece to a locked position wherein the recess of the gaugemember is fitted about a lumber piece and the member is locked againstmovement in a horizontal direction relative to the lumber piece, andalso being constructed to accommodate horizontal movement ofthe gaugemember paralleling said path of travel toward said sorting means; andpower-transmitting means interposed between said gauge member andsorting means operable to translate horizontal movement of the ygaugemember toward Said sorting means into movement of said sorting meansfrom its said one to its said second position.

l0. Sorter apparatus for lumber pieces comprising a frame; means on theframe detining a horizontally extending path of travel for lumber;power-driven conveyor means for transporting lumber pieces over saidpath of travel with the lumber pieces extending transversely of saidpath; sorting means mounted on the frame adjacent said path of traveland movable between one position wherein a lumber piece moved therebycontinues along said path, and a second position wherein a lumber piecemoved thereby is diverted from said path; a gauge member having a recessshaped to tit across a lumber piece of predetermined width; mountingmeans for the gauge member supporting the member adjacent and toward thefree end of said path of travel from said sorting means; said mountingmeans being constructed to accommodate vertical movement of the gaugemember from an inoperative position out of the way of a lumber piece toa locked position wherein the recess of the gauge member is iitted abouta lumber piece and the member is locked against movement in a horizontaldirection relative to the lumber piece, and also being constructed toaccommodate horizontal movement of the gauge member paralleling saidpath of travel toward said sorting means; deactuating means normallyholding said gauge member in its inoperative position; a length detectorpositioned in said path of travel and toward the free end of said pathof travel from said gauge member; said length detector including amovable arm positioned to engage and move with a lumber piece ofpredetermined length moved past the detector; means interposed -betweenthe arm of the length detector and .the deactuating means constructed torelease the gauge member from its inoperative position on movement ofsaid arm; and power-transmitting means interposed between said gaugemember and sorting means operable to translate horizontal movement ofthe gauge member toward said sorting means into movement of said sortingmeans from its said one to its said second position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS378,796 Linderman Feb. 28, 1888 1,220,799 Tanner Mar. 27,-1917 1,706,632Onstad Mar. 26, 1929 2,636,601 Bovay Apr. 28, 1953 2,902,150' RamboSept. l, 1959

1. SORTER APPARATUS FOR LUMBER PIECES COMPRISING A FRAME, ELONGATEDPOWER-DRIVEN CONVEYOR MEANS MOUNTED ON THE FRAME FOR TRANSPORTING LUMBERPIECES AS A SERIES OF SINGLE PIECES ALONG A PATH OF TRAVEL WITH THELUMBER PIECES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE PATH OF TRAVEL, PLURALSEPARATING STATIONS SPACED ALONG SAID PATH OF TRAVEL, EACH HAVINGSEPARATOR MECHANISM OPERABLE WHEN ACTUATED TO REMOVE A LUMBER PIECE FROMSAID PATH OF TRAVEL, AND MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE SEPARATOR MECHANISM OFEACH STATION POWERED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE LUMBER, THE LATTER MEANSINCLUDING A DETECTOR OF LENGTH AND A DETECTOR OF WIDTH ADJACENT SAIDPATH OF TRAVEL, ONE OF SAID DETECTORS HAVING CONTACTING MEANS ENGAGEDAND MOVED IN POSITION BY A PIECE OF LUMBER MOVING THEREBY, THE OTHER OFTHE DETECTORS BEING ADJUSTABLE BETWEEN INOPERATIVE AND OPERATIVEPOSITIONS AND HAVING CONTACTING MEANS ENGAGED AND MOVED IN POSITION BY APIECE OF LUMBER MOVING THEREBY ONLY WHEN IN OPERATIVE POSITION, MEANSINTERCONNECTING THE DETECTORS WHEREBY SAID ONE PLACES SAID OTHER INOPERATIVE POSITION WHEN THE CONTACTING MEANS OF SAID ONE IS MOVED BY APIECE OF LUMBER, AND MEANS MOVED BY MOVEMENT OF THE CONTACTING MEANS OFSAID OTHER DETECTOR PROVIDING THE POWER FOR ACTUATING THE SEPARATORMECHANISM.